Lots of static about MB quality that isn't there anymore or whatever. I wouln't touch one of those MB suv's with all the gadgets.. I prefer my 84 300D and 91 350sdl.

Anyway, since most people don't drive MB's I am sure that the MB lustre hasn't worn off the public in general. In most movies MB's are still prominetly displayed. In nearly all capitals of the world, MB's still haul around the rich and famous, and are always being blown up in rather less dubious distinction (the other day in Baghdad, it looked like a newer SEL class had its roof blown off. You could still tell it was a MB by the wheels and side moulding.

I think in the movie "Blackhawk down" the one taxi driver/informant was driving a beater 240d taxi that was really getting beat up but still drove

As long as movies and the media portray luxury as the MB hood ornament, the perception of quality and german engineering, whether or not real will live on. I've never seen the lexus or Infiniti is considered by Hollywood as a luxury car. I don't mind.

"I've never seen the lexus or Infiniti is considered by Hollywood as a luxury car. I don't mind."

That is because in certain circles the badge on your hood is very important. Why did the Honda NSX fail?

280 HP at 95K was a big reason, but yeah, I get your point makes sense. Good example.

The Ferrari 348 had 300hp and cost twice as much.

how about vw=bugatti new v16 1,001 HP Bugatti Veyron with
2 v8's joined together at the crankcase, with 4 turbos.

top speed 275 mph. price: 1,000,000 euros. vw says they have
sold 40 this year. goodbye Maybach?

see pop science jan 04 issue, "Hypercar"

Perception is a lazy man's reality. Jaguars were always perceived as the ultimate British luxury car, along with Rolls Royce. Since relatively few people know people who have Rolls Royces, word doesn't get around about the problems. My mechanic flat out says Rolls Royces are pieces of junk compared to MB. It will take time for people's perception to change for the better or the worse. What they are really doing is not changing their perception, but seeing reality.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

"Rolls Royces are pieces of junk compared to MB" Yeah right. Rolls Royce uses quality wood and hides that put MB to shame. The carpet on these cars is incredible, so soft. Are they as reliable as MB probably not. But the quality puts MB to shame. Compare a new S600 with a Rolls no comparison. Also remember a new Rolls cost 350k to 400k so a 10k repair that might seem expensive to us is nothing to the owners.

Went to the Honda site for the lowdown on the NSX

Seems like they are still mea cupa over the nsx. THey have comparison charts, with the "old" NSX and the "New, Improved" version. All to get out of a hole.
IT is interesting that one technican now builds the engine from start to finish. that's novel it today's manufacturing processes...

They removed the spare tire and replaced it with a can of aerosal tire puncture inflator or whatever. All in the name of weight reduction...

So it goes...

Real Engines don't have spark plugs.

When my mechanic said Rolls Royces were junk he was referring to the mechanicals and electronics. I would not argue one bit about the quality of the materials used to put those cars together, it just the reliability issue. Granted the more toys a car has the more there is to break. However it is even the basic things that RRs have problems with. My mechanic also said that if you ever need a part you have to wait forever to get it.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member